Stock-Based Compensation

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2017

Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]

Stock-Based Compensation Expense

Total stock-based compensation expense was as follows (in thousands):



	Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2017		October 1, 2016		September 30, 2017		October 1, 2016
Stock awards	$	3,339	$	1,121	$	10,059	$	7,533
Stock options	594		545		1,750		1,739
Total stock-based compensation expense	3,933		1,666		11,809		9,272
Income tax benefit	1,314		556		3,968		3,180
Total stock-based compensation expense, net of tax	$	2,619	$	1,110	$	7,841	$	6,092

In addition to the income tax benefit related to stock-based compensation expense in the table above, excess tax benefits of $0.2 million and $1.4 million were recognized as reductions of income tax expense during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. There were no excess tax benefits recognized in income tax expense during the three and nine months ended October 1, 2016. See Note 1, New Accounting Pronouncements, for additional discussion of new guidance on the accounting for, and disclosure of, stock-based compensation which we adopted effective January 1, 2017.